"How can you even make a show that good! It's like you just took every insanely talented person in the world and then got rid of a bunch because they weren't even talented enough, and then you all just put this together and affected so many lived and made kids interested in History and brought people back to Broadway." He laughs.
"So you liked it."
"Loved it. It was amazing!"
"Well thank you but J can't take all the credit. Everyone here works very hard on this. That's how you get stuff done."
"Well, it all paid off. And it was your idea and lyrics. Well, anyways, I should get going."
"Will you be okay going home right now? Do you need a ride?"
"Thanks but I'll be fine. I have a ride."
"Okay. Call me when you get home."
"I will. Bye Lin." I start towards the door, saying 'good job' and 'goodbye' to people on the way out. I go to the lobby and out that door, humming the last song because it's stuck in my head now.
Why shouldn't I go to the part tonight? What's so bad about that? If I'm bored, I can just leave.
I get off the train two stops early and head to the building, following the noise.
"You came!" Arianna exclaims once she sees me looking around for a familiar face after entering.
"I did."
"And you're all dressed up"
"Yeah. My school clothes are in here," I lift up my plastic bag, "cause I just saw a show and I figured I could stay out longer tonight."
"He won't care?"
"He's working. Anyways, is you know who here?" I ask, following her into the next room over.
"Yeah. With pinky again. It's disgusting." I laugh, lightly. "Shield your eyes." She warns as the two enter the room.
"Scout!" Conner says.
"That's not my name." I shoot back immediately.
"Come on. You used to be fine with being called that."
"And now I'm almost sixteen."
"Then get some boobs." Pinky says. I roll my eyes as Conner scolds her and Arianna hands me a cup.
"Thanks." I say to her as she follows me out of the room just as Pinky leans into Conner.
"Yuck." She says, pushing me the remainder of the way. I sit down on the couch, talking to Arianna until she spots her boyfriend.
"You okay here alone?"
"Yeah. Go ahead."
"You're the best. Text me if you wanna come and stay at my place after. She jumps up and slips through people to get to her boyfriend. I figure that I'll explore a little. The bedroom door is open so I let myself in. I don't even know who's place this is. I go to the dresser and look at the pictures, trying to connect in but struggling because of the dim light.
"Hey. Scout was it?" Someone asks. I turn back.
"It's an old nick name." I match his face to a junior in my old school by now. Blond, tall, and a runner.
"Nicolaus."
"That's my full name. What are you doing in here?" He asks, shutting the door behind him. Odd.
"I was just leaving." I say, feeling anxious and a little stuck in the room. I start to the door but he stops me.
"I remember you from middle school. I haven't seen you around since. Didn't you go to that private school?"
"Yeah?"
"I miss seeing your face. I liked you."
"You didn't know me."
"But I saw you around." He says, moving closer.
"You already said that." He chuckles and lifts my chin, kissing me before I have a clue that he is. He lowers me onto my back.
"Hey-" i try to say something but his lips find mine again. I whimper. Then I say his name. And I toss around. It's all useless.
-
"Hey. Are you alright?" I jump away from the lab sink and turn to face my teacher.
"What?" I ask, thrown off guard. I cleaned the biology classes equipment but now I'm done and I don't know how long I spaced out for.
"What's going on?"
"Oh, did I do poorly on the test? Is there anything-"
"You haven't taken it from me."
"Oh." I say as she hands me the test. 95%
"The grade was fine. You just seem tired. Try to get some sleep this weekend. I doubt that your grade will slip but I really don't want to see them. Come by if you need anything."
"Okay. Thanks. See you Monday." I'm glad that orchestra was cancelled today because I'n way too tired. I slip the test in my bag and put it on my shoulder, tugging on my sleeves as I walk out the school.
I don't care that it's a freezing day. I don't want to do anything about it. All I want is some warm coffee and another distraction if sleep is not an option. I don't remember if I was meeting them here today. Maybe it was next week. Maybe this. Maybe two weeks. Oh well. I'll show up wither way.
I barely remember how to function when I get inside. I'm too daunted by the fact that I won't have any distractions like school this weekend. I can dance. I guess. Maybe. I find them in the seats and sink into my seat, letting my bag fall beside ne. Renée is next to me.
"Oh my, you're so pale and cold." She says, taking my hands and putting them between hers. My gaze rises enough to meet the other two woman's. Confusion or concern is laced in their eyes.
"Hey. Lin said you were really busy this week. You weren't able to talk to him much." Jazzy says as Renée lets go and Pippa slides me a coffee.
"Thanks. And yeah. Hard week."
"Anything you wanna talk about?"
"Not really."
"Okay. Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll get better with time." I nod. I know that she's right but It just doesn't feel it. I need to stop pitying myself and just listen to them talk. Stay distracted. Move on. Forget about it. If you can.
